Woman, 26, caught speeding on the highway while under the influence of marijuana, complains that a traffic ban would affect her social life

Bryony Barker (pictured) pleaded guilty to drug driving before Warrington Magistrates Court on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs

A woman who was caught speeding on a motorway and was under the influence of cannabis claimed that the driving ban would impact her social life.

Bryony Barker, 26, was found by police speeding at 70mph on the M62 near Widnes, Cheshire, in May this year.

Testing more than three times the limit for drug driving, Barker had 6.7 micrograms of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, per liter of blood.

Kassem Noureddine, prosecuting, told Warrington Magistrates Court before sentencing that; “She was stopped for traveling over the speed limit. As the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed the smell of marijuana.

‘A Drugwipe test was carried out at the roadside, which tested positive for cannabis. She was arrested and taken into custody. In terms of antecedents, she has none. The defendant has good character.”

Barker pleaded guilty before the court, receiving a 14-month driving ban and a £563 fine. She was also ordered to pay a further £315 in costs and victim surcharge.

Barker, 26, told the court the driving ban would have a huge impact on his social life

Barker tested more than three times the drug-driving limit when he was pulled over for speeding earlier this year.

Speaking before her sentencing, Barker said this road ban would affect her “massively”, particularly her ability to socialize with friends and visit her mother, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Beginning his statement, Barker said; “I would just like to say that I know I put the public in danger. But this will have a huge impact on work and social life. I know I made a mistake and I would like to apologize.”

The 26-year-old website visitor added that driving is a necessity for her job and that this ban would have a major impact on her ability to work.

Chairman Paul Chadwick spoke in response to Barker, stating; ‘We have heard your personal circumstances and are sorry to hear about your mother. You said it would affect your work and showed remorse. You offered an immediate guilty plea.

“But you were stopped on the highway because of your driving pattern, speeding and under the influence of drugs. This inflated the base level of disqualification.

“If you are caught driving during this period, you will be taken back to court for disqualified driving and could face a prison sentence.”